A lot of folks think that because a car is new, it will be defect-free. Check out the rail dust and marring that had to be corrected prior to wrapping with paint protection film or Modesta.

The tail lights on both sides had damage from someone running a rotary and edging out the backing plate on the lenses. We corrected these defects as well.

Unfortunately, the newest Porsche’s require removal of the bumper to remove the headlights. Removal of the headlights is almost a necessity on Porsche’s due to the design. Without paint protection film coverage inside and behind the headlights, intensive damage is sure to occur. Our advanced wrap ensure maximum protection.

This is what we mean when we say we take pride in our fit and finish. The next 2 shots showcase how we finish down our advanced paint protection film wraps on exposed edges.

Due diligence is key in protecting surfaces near our working areas.

Modesta BC-05 going down over the paint protection film and the exposed paint.

More fit and finish. This time, we showcase our custom paint protection film wrapped gas doors and bumper plugs.

Where some use IR lamps as an option and for a showy display. We know that Modesta requires shortwave IR curing because of it’s thickness. Shortwave IR curing of Modesta BC-05 ensures the base of this very thick coating has a complete bond with the clear coat before leaving our facility. This allows the coating to have the ideal circumstances to cure over the following 2 weeks.

She is finally all buttoned up and ready for her long life of looking gorgeous!

For more paint protection film specific content, check out our blog at Clear Bra Atlanta.

Reflecting on an incredible event that supports a wonderful cause

As I sit and reflect on this event and what came afterwards I have a hard time putting my thoughts into words. Most openings to articles are supposed to have some kind of flair to them to engage a reader. But even after cutting all the fat off of this story what I am left with is appreciation that my company, Detailed Designs Auto Spa, was ask to support Smokies GT3 event and that we were able to generate such a healthy donation for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. I suppose I will start with how things began and the story will end with an extensive Porsche 991 GT3RS project that we performed paint correction, a full body Xpel clear bra wrap, Modesta wheel and caliper coating and Modesta BC-05 glass paint coating on.

Back in 2015 Detailed Designs Auto Spa performed a full body Xpel Stealth clear bra wrap on a Rhodium Silver Porsche 991 GT3 (which you can read about HERE). Some of the owner’s buddies, who are Porsche owners, saw the project and decided to reach out to us to see if we wanted to participate in supporting their Smokies GT3 event that was to be held in a few months. They wanted someone to keep the participant’s cars clean over a few days.

One other mention was made about potentially supporting the live auction with a donation that went towards the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. While I had heard of Cystic Fibrosis, I didn’t really know what it was. So I did some reading, watched a few videos and knew that it was an organization that deserved whatever we could afford. As this a disease that primarily affects young children, and having 2 kids myself, this struck a nerve with me. They had hopes of getting $10k from the auction to go towards CFF, so I offered to perform our track package clear bra installation and Modesta wheel, caliper and body coating. This had a value of about $5,000 and I hoped we could help them get halfway to their mark. ….but as things progressed, there was a need for a change for the donation….

The organizers were pleased to have us as a part of the event and I made sure my staff and I were there to support it the best way we could; with our donation and brief, but safe maintenance washes.

We hope you enjoy the pictures we took and the story shared…

Detailed Designs Auto Spa rolls out to Smokies GT3

The usual suspects starting our trip to north Georgia mountains…

Every trip the DDAS team takes starts with breakfast at the Wafflehouse

The guys:

Tim

Tony

Peterson(this guy eats more in a single sitting than 2 full grown men…you see those 2 burgers there? That’s not enough for him haha) and me

Northbound and driving through Helen, GA.

We arrived and began setting up for some maintenance washes right away. The staff at The Ridges Resort & Marina were very helpful to us in getting set up and working with us while we stole the whole lower parking lot.

We waited hours for participants to arrive. It started as a slow roll of folks and then…

We quickly got overwhelmed…

This carried on for 2.5 days. While we were not able to give cars the typical attention we give maintenance washes. We were able to safely clean the paint and wheel faces in short order. Enough to work on an incredible amount of cars over a few days.

A few bucks of painted Porsche keys.

When the washes were over, it was time to get serious about making a REAL impact.

The washes were a great convenience for the attendees. My guys loved the experience because it was fun(and they were deep in OT for the whole event -lol) and I enjoyed stretching my onsite detailing legs that had not seen action for years. But going into the last day there was a banquette and live auction to support the cystic fibrosis foundation and this was what I had been looking forward to the most.

The organizers had hoped to get $10,000 in donations for the CFF. At the start, I felt as if I could have a real impact by getting half of that and then it would be a meaningful donation. But after speaking with an organizer who had 2 children afflicted with this disease, I was moved to do a bit more. Gone was a track package clear bra wrap, body and wheel coating. Out came the big gun. I wanted to do everything possible to help SmokiesGT3 reach their target so I upgraded the donation to a new car prep, paint correction, full body Xpel clear bra wrap, Modesta on the wheels and calipers and Modesta on the body of the car. With a retail value of about $10,000, all we needed were some generous bidders to make this happen!

What’d we have at this event? A room full of generous people looking to help a cause. The mark was hit. After a little back and forth, our donated service reached a winning bid of $10,800. Coupled with many other sponsors, the event was able to raise $46,500!! What a successful effort and certainly one with a noble cause.

The event sponsors that helped make this happen:HRE Wheels -check them out if you’re looking for some epic wheels for your fine automobileAkrapovic -Save weight, increase power and sound absolutely incredible while doing so!Hennessy Porsche -The winner purchased his Porsche from Hennessey. He and other clients of mine have fabulous things to say about Hennessy.Butler Tire -Slick fit for snagging up some HREs in metro-Atlanta.Merit Partners -click the link to see some fine automobiles available for purchase from MP!Michelin -Pilot Sport Cup 2…need I say more?

Finally, she arrives. Project Lava Orange GT3 RS Begins.

After waiting months for the winning bidder’s car to arrive, it showed up. Within 2 weeks of arriving, I was picking the car up at the Caffeine and Octane car show in Atlanta and driving it back to the shop to begin on this epic project.

After telling a teenager to have a sit in the car at the show, the owner tossed me the keys and said, “have fun!” (lol! I’ll be sure to enjoy the paranoid ride back to my shop!)

Part of our 21-stage cleaning is a hand wash with gentle wash mitts and our custom blended shampoo.

Chemical decon happens before mechanical decon.

Dried with towels and forced air.

The whole body was machine polished to remove superficial defects and bring the surface to a beautiful luster prior to installing clear bra.

Part of the prep for the clear bra installation was removal of some reasonable to remove parts. While this was not our advanced full body clear bra wrap, we do remove parts that are easy to remove as it’s just the right way to do a full body clear bra wrap. The following parts were removed before the body was wrapped with clear bra: headlights, taillights, front side markers, rear sticker, rear quarter vent intakes, rear engine lid spoiler and mounting points. Removing these parts allow us to give a far better looking installation with better protection.

This car will be enjoyed on the track. We knew just a single layer of clear bra may not be enough so we layered additional clear film that was 20 mils thick on top of the 8 mil thick clear bra for a total of 28 mils of protection for the most exposed areas.

She was now protected from physical impacts. Up next? Incredible gloss, chemical resistance and ease of maintenance with Modesta BC-05!

Modesta BC-05 goes on just a “little” thick.

Tim, my lead technician running point on the Modesta BC-05 body coating.

Modesta body coatings are unlike solvent-rich coatings on the market. Modesta BC-05 requires short-wave infrared lamp curing to begin the curing process at the base of the coating where it meets the substrate. The total curing process takes 2 weeks but before a Modesta project leaves the base of the coating is completely cured ensuring a long term bond! Modesta is a real glass coating system that increases gloss and luster, provides chemical resistance, is easier to keep clean(and easier TO clean) and protects much better than any wax or sealant does. A cured Modesta coating job gives a candy-like gloss that can last for many years!

Detailed Designs Auto Spa was the first detailing company in North America to import and modify programmable KRAUSS short-wave infrared lamps. Our desire to offer the highest quality results possible drives us to think outside the box and take these steps. Our KRAUSS IR curing process is exact and perfect. No guess work and no estimates on how our Modesta jobs are cured. These programmable lights heat the surfaces to precisely 140 degrees for the designated timeframe. (currently, DDAS and only 1 other shop in North America has KRAUSS programmable curing lamps)

We love it when a plan comes together.

All said and done, the project was picked up after we performed a new car prep, paint correction, an extensive full body Xpel clear bra wrap, wheels coated with Modesta and body coated with Modesta BC-05. Protection for the streets of Atlanta and fit and finish for a king.

It was a great experience supporting the Smokies GT3 event with onsite washes, answering technical questions and donating this service to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and we look forward to supporting the event in the future! This was a lot of work, but the cause made it all worth while.

Thank you for taking the time to read up on this project!

If you’re hunting for quality protection or restoration services for your fine automobile, give Detailed Designs Auto Spa a call or check out our website HERE. We are happy to discuss your options and create a great long term solution for your needs.